Machine for making springs



A. F. PRANGE MACHINE FORMAKING SPRINGS' May 28, 1935.

Filed oct. 21, 1933 3-Sheets-Sheet 1 May 28; 1935. A. F. PRANGE I 2,002,754 MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRINGS Filed Oct. 21, 1935 s Sheets-Shet 2 Fig-5- May 28, 1935. PRANGE MACHINE FOR MAKING SPRINGS Fild Oct. 21, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 28, 1935 "1 U N IT E D STAT E. S: PAT EN T OFF ICE MACHINE For: MAKING SPRINGS Alfons F. Page. St. Louis County, Mo.

Application October 21, 1933,; Serial- No. 694,588 17' Claims. (01.15344) This. invention relates to machinesfor making of springs inthe relationshipin which: they are springs, and has special reference to machines for simultaneously formed by this machine.

making helical springs of the type used for im- Fig. l2l-is. an enlarged plan. view showing the parting rotary movements to different parts to be parts of the machine in. the positions they occupy 5 driven thereby. duringthe timethatthe bands or tapes are being 5 An object of the invention is to provide a mamounted preparatory for operation of the machine capable of rapid operation towind metallic chine. f

bands or tapes into helical springs having uniform Fig. l3' is a-similar plan view showing the parts coils-of uniform arrangement and tension, so that, inthe position. they occupyafter the bands or 1'0 when the springs are applied or mountedin the tapes have been located.

environments inwhich they are to be used, the Fig. 14 is a-similar plan view showing the parts springs of the same kind will operate with apin positiolhthey 1 3" W e the a d proximately the same degree of force. tapes are partially wound into springs.

Another object of the invention isto provide Fig. l5 is an enlarged plan view of the winding means for gaging the bands or tapes in connection spindle about which the springs are wound. l6 withthe. winding mechanism, sothat when said Fig. 16 is an enlarged plan. view of the winding mechanism is operated the bands or tapes will be spindle equippedwith-a pin for engaging the ends uniformly wound and tensioned. of. the. bands or. tapes to be wound into springs Another object of the invention is to provide an havingslottedor perforatedends.

20 improved machine formaking springs comprising Fig. 1'1 isa plan view of one end of a forming 20 winding.mechanism for winding the springsinto member for use. in. making. springs. of bands or helical. formation, and means for ejectingfthe tapes that are wider. than the bands or tapes springs from the winding mechanism after the wound. .by the devices. shown in.- the. preceding springs have been completed. views of the-drawings. V

Another object of the invention is toprovide Fig. 18' is a sectional view on the line. l.8 --|8' of 25 a machine for making springs having'a chuck or Fig. 1 7. connecting device whereby the machine may be Fig. 19 is a sectional view'of the lower end view operated'bya drill press or other operatingmechof an operating device capable of use in making anisrn. I springs oflarger diameter...

Various other objects and-advantages of the in- The machine comprises aibase I having therein 30 vention will be apparent from the following dea. vertical opening 2 (Fig.8). in the lower portion scription, reference being made to the annexed ofwhich is rigidly secured. a solid member 3. A drawings, in. which-.- q plate 4 is secured tothe under side of. the member 7 Fig. 1. is a plan view of a preferred form of my 3 and has acentral opening 5 and below the plate improved machine for making springs. lv a plate. 6 is secured. The parts 3,4 and 6 are 35 Fig. 2 is a side elevation. attached together by screws. land the assembly Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of one thus provided is secured in the lower portion of ofthe. spring supports and gages approximately the opening 2. by screws.8.

ontheline 33"of Fig. 2. A pair ofirods- 9i extend for vertical sliding 4.0 Fig- 4 is a verticalcross sectionalview approximovementsthrough. the solidv member 3. and have 40 mately on the line 4-4of Fig.2. on their lower ends. heads I01 limiting extent of Fig. 5 is a sectional. View onthe line 55. of upward movement of said rods. and operating in Fig. l. cavities H in thepartsllandi.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross sectional View of the Awinding spindle [.2 extendsvertically through 4-5 machine on the line 8-6 of Fig. 2. the member 3. and. has on. its lower end a cam 5 Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view of l3. within. the recess. 5' engaged by a detent- [4 the. machine at rightangles to the section of mounted for sliding movements in the plate 4 Fig. 6. p I andactuatedby aspring l5. 7

Fig.i8'is an enlarged-sectional view showingthe An ejector block l 6 15 mounted for verticalslidwindingdevice and spring ejector. i ing movements in the opening 2 above the mem- 50 9 S a Sectional view on the line 9 of her 3 and thezends of. the rods 9 are screwed into Fig. 8. the lower portion-ofsaid ejector member. The

Fig. 10. is a. lower end view of. the actuating winding. spindle l2 projects centrally through the device for operating the machine. ejector block I6 and. does not. interfere with the Fig.,1'liis. an. enlarged plan view showinga pair sliding.- movements of. said. ejector; The ejector I6 supports the upper end of the winding spindle I2 from lateral movement. A spring 5'? is mounted on the spindle l2 having its lower end seated upon the member 3 and its upper end against the ejector member 16 and is operative to raise said ejector member to the position shown in Fig. 8 at the proper time to eject therefrom any spring or springs that have been wound. The upper end of the spindle I2 is formed with the diametrical slot I8 that separates two eccentrically disposed approximately semi-circular extensions !9 and 20, the relative relationship of which is clearly shown in Figs. and 16. The

direction of rotation of this spindle i2, when the same is rotated to form springs, is clockwise in the direction of the arrow 2! when-the extensions l9 and 23 are in the relationship shown. Of course, it is clear that the relationship of the extension 69 and 29 may be reversed, inwhich'reversed arrangement the spindle l2 should be rotated in the opposite; or counter-clockwise direction.

Two alined spring pressing slides 22 are mounted on the base land each has a curved notch 23 in its inner end. The spindle i2 extends upwardly-between the innerends of the spring pressing slides 22. Each spring pressing slide 22 is mounted for inward'and outward sliding movements in a guide structure comprising spaced members 2d detachably securedto the upperside of the base i by removable and replaceable screws 25. A spring 26 has its inner end abutting against the outer end of each of the slides 22 and its outer end abutting against'a shoulder'iil onthe'inner end of an adjustable screw abutment 28 operatively supported in a side member 253 attached to the adjacent side of the base 1. Lock nuts as are screwed on the screw abutments 28 for looking engagement with the members 29 to prevent accidental turning of said screw abutments. The springs 28 are effective to move the spring pressing slides'22 inwardly toward each other and to hold the walls of the notches 2s against the coils of the springs while the springs are being wound by operation of the machine. When the ejector member I6 is in its lower positionthe inner ends of the spring pressing slides 22 extend over and against the upper wall of said ejector member, as shown in Fig. 6 and Figs. 12-, 13 and 14, thus holding the ejectormember depressed in opposition to thepower of the spring H and permitting the inner ends of the metallic bands or tapes 3! and 32 to be engaged in the slot 13 with the ends of said bands or tapes even with the peripheries of the extensions l9 and 20, respectively, as should be understood by reference to Fig. 15. Levers 33 are mounted'on removable and replaceable pivots 34 attached to the base 'i and have their inner ends'pivotally engaged with the spring pressing slides 22, respectively, by, pivotal connections 35. These levers 33 are operative to move the spring pressing slides 22 outwardly in opposition to the pressure of the springs and, when said slides 22 are moved outwardly beyond the ends of the ejector member I6, said ejector member it will be moved upwardly between the inner ends of said slides 22 far enough to eject the springs 38 and 31 from engagement with the spindle l2.

A latch bar 38 is attached to and supported by a lever 39 having one end mounted; on a pivot 53 carried by an arm-4| projecting from rigid connection with the base i (Fig. '7). A spring :52, mounted between the 1ever" 39 and the arm 4i,

yieldingly supports the free end of said lever 39, so that the levers 33 will engage shoulders 43 on the latch bar 38 and thereby prevent the springs 26 from moving the spring pressing slides 22 into contact with each other. A key member M is attached to the lever 39 and is manually engageable and operative to depress said lever and thereby move the latch bar 38 downwardly out of engagement with the levers 33 to permit the springs 26 to move the spring pressing slides 22 inwardly to abutting contact.

A pair or supporting arms 45 in the form of channels are attached to opposite sides of the base I. A gage 46 is mounted for inward and outward sliding movements in each arm 45 and is equipped with a latch comprising a manually operative screw 41 screwed in the body of the gage 46 and engageable with lock bolts 48 movably mounted in the body of the gage 48 for clamping engagement with the walls of the channel arm 35. The inner side of each gage 46 has a notch 39 designed and adapted to receive the outer ends of the bands or tapes 3! and 32 while the inner ends of said bands or tapes are positioned so that they are even or approximately even with the peripheral walls of the extensions l9 and 20, respectively. Thus, these gages may be moved along the arms 45 and secured in different adjusted positions thereon to gage bands or tapes of dilferent lengths.

One of the members 29 has a bracket arm 50 (Fig. 6) extending inwardly over the spindle i2 and over the ejector l6 and provided with a socket 5 I. An operating device comprising a chuck member 52 is mounted for sliding and turning movements in the socket 5i and has in its lower end openings 53 and 56 shaped like the extensions l9' and 253 and designed and adapted to receive said extensions, respectively, (Fig. 10) A key plate is mounted in a slot in the lower end of the chuck 1 member 52 and extends between the openings 53 and 54 and is designed and adapted to be received in the slot l8 above the upper edges of the bands or tapes 3| and 32 and above the inner ends of the spring pressing slides 22. Therefore, when the device 52, which is mounted in the socket 5|, is interlocked with the spindle l2 and rotated it will wind the bands or tapes 3! and 32 around said spindle and around each other in symmetrical uniform spirals, producing symmetrical and uniformly wound springs 55 and 5'! having uni formly shaped angular inner ends 58 and 59. These springs can then be easily separated from each other by pushing them apart and when wound in this way the coils of the springs are in almost exact uniformity and the springs are of almost uniform tension, the only difference, if any, being due to the character and quality of the metal forming the springs. During this winding operation, pressure is applied against the coils of the springs continuously and uniformly by the spring pressing slides 22, as clearly shown in Fig. 14.

The member 52 may be easily placed in proper position for engagement of the key member 55 in the slot l8 by providing fiat surfaces 60 on the sides of the member 52 for engagement by leaf springs 6| mounted on the bracket 56 in proper relationship to obtain the desired adjustment.

A clutch member 62 is mounted for sliding movements on a stem 63 attached to the upper end of the member 52 and is supported out of clutch engagement with the member 52 by a spring 64 (Fig. 6). The spring 64 permits the clutch member 62 to be moved downwardly to engage the clutch" portion 65 on the-lower end thereof with a clutch portion 86 on the upper end of the part 52' soas to-rotate said part 52by the clutch member 62. A connecting device 61 is attached to the upper end of the clutch member 62 for engagement with and operation by an ordinary drill press, for-instance. However, the device may be operated in any desired way-without departingfrom the principle of the invention.

In operation, the gages 46 are secured in proper position on the arms to locate and gage the bands or tapes 3 l and Minsucha way that when the outer ends of said bands or tapes are engaged in'the gagenotehes- IS the inner ends of said bands or tapes are-even with the peripheral surfaces of theextensions l9 and- 20, respectively. During thetime that the bands or tapes are-being mounted, the ejector I6 is held in its lower position by the inner ends of the springpressing slides 22 which extend over and-against the upper surface of the'ej'ector member; This permits the inner ends of the bands or tapes 3! and 32 to be placed in the slot l'8. During the placem'entof the bands ortapes Hand 32', the member 52'is supported in a raisedposition, as shown in Fig. 6. After the bands ortapes have been mounted in the manner mentioned, the member 52'is moved downwardly to engage the key" member in the upper portion of the slot l8. above the bands. or tapes 3| and 32. Then the. clutch member 62 is. moved downwardly into clutching. engagement with the member 52: and rotatedv to rotate. the spindle I2 and thereby'wind. the bands or tapes 3| and 32 around said spindle andaround each other, pressure being applied to the coils as they are wound by the spring pressing slides 22. Afterrthe springs have been. completely wound, the member 52 is raised and disengaged; from the spindle l2.

If the slides 22 have been moved outwardly far enough,,the ejector t6 -will immediatelybe raised by the spring I! and eject the springs from engagement with the-spindle l2; But, if the slides have not. been moved outwardly far enough to permit upward movement of the ejector I6, said slides may be moved by the levers 33.

The spindle I2shown inllig. 16 has a slot 68 in its upper end separating two; eccentrically disposed approximately"semi-circular extensions 69 and 10. A- pin H extends through the extensions Bland l0 and has its ends projecting beyond the peripheral surfaces of said, extensions a distance approximately equal tothethickness of the resilient bands or tapes 1-2. and 13... These bands or tapes [2 and 13 are formedwith curved terminal portions 14 that curve in conformity with the peripheral surfaces of. the extensions 69; and I0 and are also formed with slots or holes 15 through said curved terminal portions. adaptedto be engaged with projecting ends-of the pin H while the outer ends. of the. bands or tapes I2 and 13 are engaged insthe gage notches 49. in the manner in whichrthe outer ends of: the, bands or tapes 3| and 32 are engageddnsaid notches 49.- The slot 68-- is provided, to receive. the key: plate 55 in the manner in which the. slot l8 receives said key plate, it being; understood that the spindle 12 extends above the upper edges of, the bands or tapes [2 and 13: in orderto receive thekey plate 55 in saidslot 68 just-as the spindle l 2 extends above the upper edgesof the bands or tapes 3] and 32 in orderto: receive thekey plate 55: in the slot It. The springs having-the curvedterminal portions 14: at their inner: ends are otherwise the same' as the springs-5]. and are wound inthe same When desired, the slides 22 may be removed and other slides 16 (Fig. 18-) substituted therefor, the slides 76 being provided with thickened orraised flanges 11 on their inner ends in order to press against theperipheral surfaces of coils 18 formed of wider bands or tapes than the bands or tapes 3| and 32 Thus, the machine may be easily changed so asto coil bands or tapes of various widths into coil springs. If desired, the lower end of the member 52 may be provided with screw threads, as shown in Fig. 19, and a collar 19 may be screwed thereon in order to exert pressure upon the upper edges of coil springs of greater length than when the-device 52 alone is used. Thus, when comparatively short bands or tapes are to be coiled into springs the collar 19 may be omitted, but when longer bands or tapes are to be coiled into springs, the resilient coiled springs will be of greater diameter than the diameterof coiled springs made of shorter bands or tapes and in such case the collar 19' may be used.

. The invention may be varied i'nother particulars than in the particulars specifically mentioned and I contemplate such variations as will obtain best results without departure from the principle of the invention.

It should now be apparent that this invention obtains allof its intended objects and purposes efliciently and satisfactorily and may be operated with great rapidity and will make springs of approximately uniform winding and tension, and a single operator by use of this machine can make as many springs as many operators can make by some of the antiquated methods of spring making now in use.

I do not restrict myself in unessential particulars but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. 'A machine for making springs comprising a base, a rotative spindle supported vertically by said base and having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, a spring ejector mounted in said base and supporting the upper endof said spindle and means supported above said base and engageable with said upper end of said spindle for rotating the same to coil said bands or tapes around said spindle and around each other.

2. A machine for making springs comprising a base, a vertical rotative spindle supported by said base and having a slot in its upper end adapted to receive the inner end of a band or tape to be coiled into a coil spring,"a gage device for locating said band or tape so that the inner end thereof is approximately even with a peripheral surface of said spindle, a spring ejector mounted in said base and supporting the upper end of said spindle, and mechanism engageable with said spindle to rotate the same and coil said band or tape around said spindle.

3. A machine for making springs comprising a base, a rotative spindle supported by said base and having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, a spring ejector mounted in said base and supporting the upper end of said spindle, means engageable with said spindle for rotating the same to coil said bands or tapes around said spindle and around each other, devices for engaging said means with and disengaging said means from said spindle, and. spring pressing. slides yieldingly pressed against said coils. a

4. A machine for making springs comprising a base, a vertical rotative spindle supported by said base and having a slot in its upper end adapted to receive the inner end of a band or tape to be coiled into a coil spring, a gage device for locating said band or tape so that the inner end thereof is approximately even with a peripheral surface of said spindle, mechanism engageable with said spindle to rotate the same and coil said band or tape around said spindle, a spring ejector mounted in said base and supporting the upper end of said spindle, and spring pressing slides yieldingly pressed against said coils.

5. A machine for making springs comprising a vertical rotative spindle having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive the inner end of a band or tape to be coiled into a spring, gaging means for locating the band or tape in a predetermined relationship with respect to said spindle, a spring ejector mounted for sliding movements alongsaid spindle, means for holding said ejector from lateral movements, means engageable with said spindle for rotating the same to coil said band or tape around said spindle, and spring pressing slides yieldingly pressed against the coils of said band or tape during the coiling thereof.

6. A machine for making springs comprising a rotative spindle having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, gage devices for locating the bands or tapes in proper relationship with respect to each other and to said spindle, means for positioning said spindle so that said slot extends toward said gage devices, and means for rotating said spindle to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other.

'7. A machine for making springs comprising a vertical rotative spindle having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, means for rotating said spindle to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other, a guide, an ejector mounted in said guide for ejecting said coils from said spindle, means for operating said ejector, and means controlling said ejector.

8. A machine for making springs comprising a vertical rotative spindle having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, means for rotating said spindle to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other, an ejector for ejecting said coils from said spindle, and spring pressing slides operative to press against said coils during the formation of said coils and controlling operationof said ejector.

9. A machine for making springs comprising a vertical rotative spindle having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, means for rotating said spindle to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other, an ejector for ejecting said coils from said spindle, spring pressing slides operative to press against said coils during the formation of said coils and controlling operation of said ejector, and 'means for operating said slides to relieve said ejector from control thereby.

10. A machine for making springs comprising a base, a vertical rotative spindle supported by said base having a slot in its upper end adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into-springs, a device for positioning said spindle preparatory for placement of the inner ends of, said bands or tapes in said slot as aforesaid, and means for rotating said spindle to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other.

11 A machine for making springs comprising a base, a vertical rotative spindle supported by said base having a slot in its upper end adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, a device for positioning said spindle preparatory for placement of the inner ends ofsaid bands or tapes in said slot as aforesaid, means for rotating said spindle to form said'bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other, an ejector for ejecting said coiled bands or tapes from said spindle, and means for controlling operation of said ejector and for applying'pressure against said coils during formation of said coils.

12. A machine for making springs comprising a base having an opening therein, a, vertical rotative spindle extending upwardly in said opening and having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive the end of a band or tape to be coiled into a spring, gaging means for locating the band or tape in a predetermined relationship with respect to said spindle, a spring ejector mounted for sliding movements along saidspindle in said opening in said base and being held from lateral movements by the wall of said opening, and means engageable with said spindle for rotating the same to coil said band or tape around said spindle.

13. A machine for making springs comprising abase having an opening therein, a vertical rotative spindle extending upwardly in said opening and having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive the-end of a band or tape to be coiled into a spring, gaging means for locating the band or tape in a predetermined relationship with respect to said spindle, a spring ejector mounted for sliding movements along said spindle in said opening in said base and being held from lateral movements by the wall of said opening, means engageable with said spindle for rotating the same to coil said band or tape around said spindle, and spring pressing slides yieldingly pressed against the coils of said band or tape during the coiling thereof.

14. A machine for making springs comprising a base having an opening therein, a vertical rotative spindle in said opening having a vertical slot in its upper end adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into springs, means for uniformly gaging said bands or tapes in proper relationship to each other and to said spindle, a spring ejector mounted in said opening for sliding movements along said spindle and being held from lateral movements by the wall of said opening, means engageable with said spindle for rotating the same to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and aroimd each other, and devices for applying pressure against the outer surfaces of said coils during winding thereof.

15. A machine for making springs comprising a base having an opening therein, a vertical rotative spindle mounted in saidopening and having a vertical slot in its upper end beyond the upper side of said base and adapted to receive in overlapped relationship the inner ends ofbands or tapes to be coiled into springs. means for. uniformly gaging said bands or tapes in proper relationship to each other and to said spindle, means engageable with said spindle for rotating the same to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other, an ejector mounted in said opening for sliding movements along said spindle and being held from lateral movement by the wall of said opening, a spring mounted in said opening and actuating said ejector upwardly, and means for moving said ejector in opposition to said spring to position to permit a spring to be wound.

16. A machine for making springs comprising a base having an opening therein, a rotative spindle mounted in said opening and having relatively eccentric extensions on its upper end separated by an intervening slot which is adapted to receive in overlapping relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into coils, gaging means for locating the inner ends of said bands or tapes in approximate alinement with peripheral portions of said extensions respectively, means for engaging and rotating said spindle to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other, an

ejector mounted in said opening for upward sliding movements to disengage said coils from said spindle, and devices for moving said ejector to position to permit a spring to be wound and for applying pressure against said spring during winding thereof.

1'7. A machine for making springs comprising a base having an opening therein, a rotative spindle mounted in said opening and having relatively eccentric extensions on its upper end separated by an intervening slot which is adapted to receive in overlapping relationship the inner ends of bands or tapes to be coiled into coils, gaging means for locating the inner ends of said bands or tapes in approximate alinement with peripheral portions ofsaid extensions respectively, means for engaging and rotating said spindle to form said bands or tapes into coils around said spindle and around each other, an ejector mounted in said opening for upward sliding movements to disengage said coils from said spindle, means for operating said ejector, and means for limiting extent of movement of said ejector.

ALFONS F. PRANGE. 

